[SunriseKevin]

In the apartment complex where I work, one of the apartments has a very bad rotting smell coming from the bathroom sink. I have tried chemicals and had lines water jetted with 180 psi. Checked vents and they are clear. Drains are clear and not plugged. Apartment complex is only 3 years old and the smell has been going on for about 4 months off and on. No other apartments smell. What can I do? I'm at my wit's end over this! Desparate; please help me!

[RickJ]

Are there any cavities where a critter could have crawled in and died?

You say "coming from the sink"... are you saying it's the drain for sure - or do you mean the sink area?

[SunriseKevin]

I thought my email was pretty clear. As I said, the smell is coming from the pipe in the bathroom sink. I ran 180 psi water through it and it came out clear. I also poured chemicals down it and the smell is still there. One thing I can add is that the apartment is on ground level and the building is on a concrete slab.

[speedball1]

Hey Kevin,

Most bad lavatory smells consist of rotting hair mixed with grease. Try this. Pull the plug up and shine a light down the drain. If you have a "pop-up" drain you will see a small rod about 6" down the drain. Hair can catch on this rod and start to rot. If ther's hair down there, fish it out and tonight before you go to bed pour 1/2 gallon of bleach down the drain. Next morning, (and this is important) flush the drain out with two large pans of boiling water. The bleach will act on any rotting hair in the drain to the trap and the boiling water will loosen any remaining grease and flush it all away. Smell sweeter now? Cheers, Tom